July 20, 2016

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12

When you are invited by someone famous to be part of something significant you are flattered but you also wonder what you should wear.

The Apostle Paul answered that question for all Christ-followers for all time. Because of the love that God has for His followers they are to express that love to others by clothing themselves with compassion, kindness, humility AND "gentleness" AND "patience".

"Gentleness" in this verse means "to adjust your strength to meet another at his weakness". Gentleness is the ability to help another who is struggling but and do it sensitively so he doesn't feel shamed or embarrassed.

A person clothed in gentleness does not help others from a position of strength or superiority.

"Patience" literally means "to slow down to the speed of another". A patient person is willing to move at the speed of the one he is trying to help. An impatient people by nature becomes irritated with one who cannot keep up with him. But rather than giving into the irritation and the impatience, the patience person adjusts to the slower pace for the sake of relationship.

Jesus came to call people into relationship with Him and with one another. To make that possible He expressed His great love by having compassion, showing kindness, being humble, dealing gently and demonstrating extraordinary patience.

Aren't you thankful for how He loves you? Are you grateful that He calls you away from rule-keeping, religious ritual and life-less traditions?

If you are you must clothe yourself with those same virtues as you build relationships with others.